Editor's Comments

Volume 8 represents a variety of interests expressed by competent geographers. Two articles deal with general observations regarding the state of geographic research; one treats in essay form the perceived need for further work in soils research; two represent thorough research dealing with widely divergent topics; and one discusses some of the details of a basic technique-field tripping. Finally, you will find the Bulletin's first attempt at poetry. We liked it, and after all, the alternative was no poetry at all. And wouldn't that be dreary? The editor's chair is one place for a different type of reflection than one usually has in the normal course of an academic year-particularly where the major teaching focus is with highly task-oriented undergraduates. The nature of the material crossing the desk represents, presumably, a primary consideration of graduate students. Basically the material reflects their concern as to where geography is heading, and the processes by which it will travel the route. Are we heading to the esoteric? Have we always been there, and I did not recognize it? The Geographical Bulletin should reflect present concerns. There is no doubt about that. But it should also help preserve that which is unique and vital to geographers and geography. Are we losing our concern for places? For "Where"? Do the children still read National Geographic and dream of those awesome, fascinating, and out-of-reach places? Would we prosper by thrusting more effort to nurturing the dreams many of us had as kids? My answer to those questions is why scholarly articles about Albania and a debilitating aspect of Mexico appear. They reflect place-regions-different people in different lands.